Infant&#39;s safety bedding to reduce sids

ABSTRACT

An infant&#39;s bedding article that reduces the occurrence of SIDS, where the article has a fitted sheet for a mattress and a partially fitted covering that is connected to the fitted sheet. The partially fitted covering has an infant size covering panel with an opening top edge, a fitted bottom edge, a fitted side edge, a partially fitted opposing side edge, and an extension panel. The extension panel is coextending from the infant size covering panel. The extension panel extends beyond the partially fitted opposing side edge, and the extension panel is not fitted, and therefore it enables the opening top edge to be turned down when laying the baby on their back on the mattress. The extension panel is sufficiently long that it can be tucked under the mattress. The fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering are joined where the sheet and covering are fitted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to infant bedding, and more particularly to infant bedding that facilitates the implementation of pediatric association safety guidelines for reducing SIDS, where the bedding not only has functionality, but also is easily maintained.

(2) Prior Art of the Invention

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in infants between one month and one year of age. Most SIDS deaths happen when babies are between two months and four months of age. In the past, attempts to develop kick-off resistant infant blankets have yielded various methods of attaching a sheet or blanket to a crib mattress (U.S. Pat. No. 2,677,137 to Bergin, U.S. Pat. No. 2,729,831 to Fuld & Craig) or to the crib bumper pads (U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,954 to Ohman). Various types of infant jackets and fitted garments have been provided to be attached to crib sheets and blankets (U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,513 to Hubner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,052 to Bilanzich). The inventions are directed to maintaining the warmth of infants while sleeping. Much more is known today about infant sleeping patterns. Concern for the warmth and comfort of the sleeping infant is now shared, along with a concern for the safety of the infant while sleeping. Since babies are known to frequently change position while sleeping, it is desirable to make the sleeping environment as free as possible from suffocation and injury risks and to keep the baby in a secure sleeping position within that environment. SIDS, sometimes referred to as “crib death”, refers to the sudden and unexpected death of an apparently healthy infant, usually of less than one year of age, which remains inexplicable after a thorough investigation. It is estimated that three infants per week die of SIDS in Canada (Canadian Pediatric Society, 1999). The American Academy of Pediatrics has reported that SIDS is responsible for more infant deaths in the United States than any other cause of death during infancy beyond the neonatal period (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2000). Although the exact causes of SIDS are unknown, various risk factors have been identified. These factors include, prone (tummy) sleeping, and sleeping on soft bedding surfaces. Health organizations in Canada and the United States now recommend that babies be put to sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of SIDS. Furthermore, it is recommended that firm, flat bedding be used with normal healthy infants, with sheets and light blankets as needed. Soft bedding, such as pillows, comforters, bumper pads, lambskins, and similar products, is not recommended due to the risk of suffocation. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a bedding product which not only keeps the infant snug and warm while sleeping, but also promotes a secure back sleeping position within the crib environment. At the same time, it is desirable to avoid the suffocation risks associated with overly fluffy or soft bedding. A streamline bedding product should also be resistant to displacement or disengagement from the crib mattress by the infant in the course of ordinary sleeping patterns. Healthcare providers know that babies sleep safer on their backs. Babies who sleep on their stomachs are much more likely to die of SIDS than babies who sleep on their backs. Babies who sleep on or under soft bedding are more likely to die of SIDS. Babies who usually sleep on their backs but who are then placed on their stomachs, such as for a nap, are at very high risk for SIDS. Therefore, it is important for a baby to use the back sleep position for naps and at night. It is strongly recommended that you use a lightweight blanket, tuck the blanket along the sides and foot of crib, and cover baby from the chest down. Keep your baby's sleep area close to, but separate from, where you and others sleep. Your baby should not sleep in a bed or on a couch or armchair with adults or other children, but he or she can sleep in the same room as you. If you bring the baby into bed to breastfeed, put him or her back in a separate sleep area, such as a bassinet, crib, cradle, or a bedside co-sleeper (infant bed that attaches to an adult bed) when finished. Think about using a clean, dry, pacifier when placing the infant down to sleep, but don't force the baby to take it. If the baby is breastfed, wait until the child is one month old or is used to breastfeeding before using a pacifier. Do not let the baby overheat while sleeping. Dress the baby in lightweight, sleep clothing, and keep the room at a temperature that is comfortable for an adult.

If the baby sleeps on his/her back, they are no more prone to choking than if they are on their stomach. Healthy babies automatically swallow or cough up fluids. There has been no increase in choking or other problems for babies who sleep on their backs.

An unfortunate reality is that the caregiver, either because they are distracted or overly tired, will invariably fail to tuck in the sides and end of the blanket after putting the baby down on their back to sleep. Invariably, this causes the covering bedding to be loose. The baby can then easily pull the covers up to their face, potentially creating a situation where the baby is rebreathing its own exhausted carbon dioxide. Rebreathing carbon dioxide is believed to be a contributing cause for suffocation and SIDS. What is needed is bedding that requires a minimum amount of preparation, such as tucking in, after laying the baby on their back. What is also needed is covering bedding, such as blankets, that the baby cannot pull up to their face. Also needed is firm, flat, bedding, as recommended by the pediatric association, as this type of bedding poses only a minimal threat that the baby can become entangled in the bedding. Flat bedding also provides a substantially known amount of warmth and coverage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an article to lessen the occurrence of SIDS during sleep, where there has been found to be a higher occurrence of SIDS when the infant is sleeping in a prone position and when there are loose covers. The infant's bedding article is comprised of a fitted sheet for a mattress and a partially fitted covering that is connected to the fitted sheet. The fitted sheet is comprised of a mattress covering center panel with a fitted head, a fitted foot, a fitted right side, and a fitted left side. The partially fitted covering is comprised of an infant size covering panel with an opening top edge, a fitted bottom edge, a fitted side edge, and a partially fitted opposing side edge where the partially fitted opposing side edge extends from the fitted bottom edge to an extension panel. The extension panel is coextending from the infant size covering panel. The extension panel extends beyond the partially fitted opposing side edge, and the extension panel is not fitted, which therefore enables the opening top edge to be turned down when laying the baby on its back upon the mattress. The extension panel is sufficiently long so that it can be tucked around the side and under the mattress. The fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering are joined where the sheet and covering are fitted; where fitted means that they are cut, stitched, and contoured such that the fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering can be stretched over the mattress. The fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering are attached, typically sewn together where they are fitted, so that they act in unison. The bedding article when positioned on the mattress is neat, flat, and substantially made-up and tucked-in, except for the extension panel, which is not fitted and can be tucked under the mattress.

Typically, the partially fitted covering is a blanket that is sized such that the opening top edge of the blanket is proximate to the infant's chest when the infant's feet are proximate to the foot end of the crib mattress. After turning down the top edge of the blanket and laying the baby on its back so that its feet are near the foot end of the mattress, the fitted blanket cut to have extension panel is pulled up to their chest and tucked in, thereby securing the top edge. The fitted blanket (partially fitted covering) tends to weakly restrain the infant from turning over, and the tucked in blanket adds another element of restraint. The invention is further comprised of a pocket that can hold at least one pacifier. The bedding materials selected for the invention are preferably patterned and color coordinated. The intrinsic neatness imparted by the invention makes it more readily apparent when the bedding is soiled, assures that most if not all of the coverings are secured, and keeps matching bedding together during washing.

In a slight deviation from the disclosed invention, the partially fitted covering connected to the fitted sheet comprises a bottom edge attached to the center panel at a point that is proximate to the fitted foot. That is, the bottom edge is not fitted, but sewn directly to the fitted sheet. This enables the position of the bottom edge of partially fitted covering to be moved to location independent of the length of the mattress. The invention can be further comprised of a fitted bottom edge, wherein the bottom edge that is sewn directly to the fitted sheet essentially acts to short sheet the bedding.

The mattress is any suitable mattress, such as a crib mattress or a bassinet mattress. With a single infant a crib mattress typically has a foot end and an opposing end, or head end. When two babies, such as twins, are placed in a crib where their close proximity is generally taught to be highly preferable, especially in their early months, pediatric professionals now recommend that they sleep on their backs, toe-to-toe, to reduce re-breathing the other's carbon dioxide. Whereas, in contrast, should two babies steep side-by-side, there is a greater possibility that one baby may interfere with the other's breathing.

In a second slight deviation from the disclosed invention, wherein the partially fitted covering is modified to accommodate up to two infants sharing a crib toe-to-toe, the partially fitted covering connected to the fitted sheet is comprised of a double length infant size covering panel with a first opening top edge that is proximate to the fitted head and a second opening top edge that is proximate to the fitted opposing head, a bisecting zone that extends from the fitted right side to the fitted left side where said zone attaches the partially fitted covering to the center panel at a point that is substantially midway between the fitted head and the fitted opposing head, a fitted side edge, an opposing partially fitted side edge having an unfitted head end and an unfitted opposing head end, where said partially fitted side edge extends from a first extension panel to a second extension panel. The first extension panel is coextensive from the double length infant size covering panel and extends beyond the unfitted head end of the partially fitted opposing side edge. The extension panel is not fitted and therefore it enables the first opening top edge to be turned down to lay a first baby on its back on the mattress, and the extension panel is sufficiently long that it can be tucked around a side and under the head end of the mattress. The second extension panel is coextensive from an opposing end of the double length infant size covering panel and extends beyond the unfitted opposing head end of the partially fitted opposing side edge. The second extension panel is not fitted and therefore it enables the second opening top edge to be turned down to lay a second baby on its back on the mattress, and the second extension panel is sufficiently long that it can be tucked around a side and under the opposing head end of the mattress. The fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering are joined where both the sheet and covering are fitted, such that when positioned on the mattress the bedding article is neat, flat, and substantially made-up and tucked-in, except for the first and second extension panels.

The invention in its broadest sense is an article to lessen the occurrence of SIDS during sleep, where the article is comprised of a fitted covering attached to a fitted sheet, wherein the fitted covering has an extension panel that is loosenable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing invention will become readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective overhead view of the invented article illustrating an infant sleeping on its back in SIDS safety bedding, wherein the article is fitted on a crib mattress and the opening top edge of the covering is secured by an extension panel that is tucked under the mattress;

FIG. 2 is a perspective overhead view of the invented article illustrating the article sized to fit a bassinet mattress;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective overhead view of the invented article illustrating the opening top edge of the covering folded down, therein permitting easy access beneath the covers;

FIG. 3 is a perspective overhead view of the invented article illustrating the article illustrated in FIG. 2, turned over to show the relative position of the extension panel when it is tucked in;

FIG. 4 is a perspective overhead view of the invented article illustrating the article sized to fit a crib mattress, as shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective overhead view of the invented article illustrating the article illustrated in FIG. 4, turned over to show the relative position of the extension panel when it is tucked in;

FIG. 6 is a perspective overhead view of the article modified to accommodate up to two infants sleeping toe-to-toe in a crib, wherein one of the extension panels is tucked in, and the opposing extension panel is draping down the side, not yet tucked in.

FIG. 7 is a perspective overhead view of the article modified to accommodate up to two infants sleeping toe-to-toe, wherein the crib mattress has been turned over. Both of the extension panels are illustrated as being tucked in;

FIG. 8 is a frontal view of a rectangular shaped pacifier pocket;

FIG. 9 is a frontal view of a heart shaped pacifier pocket;

FIG. 10 is a frontal view of a ball shaped pacifier pocket; and

FIG. 11 is a perspective overhead view of the invented article illustrating the article sized to fit a crib mattress, wherein the covering bedding is short sheeted to effect a limit that the covering can only be pulled up to the infant's chest.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an infant's bedding article that reduces the occurrence of SIDS, where the article comprises a fitted sheet 20 for a mattress and a partially fitted covering 40 that is connected to the fitted sheet. Referring to FIG. 1, the infant's bedding article 10, as shown fitted on a crib mattress, has sufficient bedding to cover an infant's chest, but not enough to cover his head. The fitted sheet 20 is comprised of a mattress covering center panel 22 with a fitted head 24, a fitted foot 26 (visible in FIGS. 6 and 7), a fitted right side 28, and a fitted left side 30. The partially fitted covering is comprised of an infant size covering panel 42 with an opening top edge 44, a fitted bottom edge 46, a fitted side edge 48, an opposing partially fitted side edge 50 where the partially fitted side edge 50 extends from the fitted bottom edge 46 to an extension panel 52 (as shown in FIGS. 2 a, 3, 5, 6, and 7. The extension panel 52 is coextending from the infant size covering panel 42. The extension panel extends 52 beyond the opposing partially fitted side edge 50. As can be seen from the figures, the extension panel is not fitted, and therefore enables the opening top edge 42 to be turned down as shown in FIG. 2 a. The baby 100 can be easily placed on its back on the mattress. The extension panel 52 is sufficiently long that it can be tucked around the side and under the mattress, as shown in FIGS. 3, 5, 6, and 7. The fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering are joined where the sheet and covering are fitted; where fitted means that they are cut, stitched, and contoured such that the fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering can be stretched over the mattress. The fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering can be comprised of an elastic material, and the fitted panels can have a hem that comprises an elastic component, which serves to gather and stretch the panels on the mattress. The partially fitted covering 40 is further comprised of a pacifier pocket 60 for holding a pacifier. The partially fitted covering 40 is preferably selected to pattern and color coordinated with the rest of the bedding.

FIG. 2 is a perspective overhead view of the invented article 10 illustrating the article sized to fit a bassinet mattress 12 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 2 a, the opening top edge 44 of the partially fitted covering 40 can be turned down when the extension panel 52 is not tucked in, therein enabling easy access for laying the infant on its back. The extension panel 52 can then be tucked under the mattress 12, which tensions the covering panel 42 on the infant. A view of the extension panel 52 tucked in under the bassinet mattress 12 is shown in FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the invented article 10 illustrating the article is sized to fit a crib mattress 14, which is larger than a bassinet mattress 12, and hence the partially fitted covering 40 appears to be to relatively shorter, but is actually approximately the same length to ensure that the opening top edge can not be pulled up over the infant's head. FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 illustrate the infant's bedding article 10 sized for crib mattress 14. As shown in FIG. 2 a, the opening top edge 44 of the partially fitted covering 40 can be turned down when the extension panel 52 is not tucked in, therein enabling easy access for laying the infant 100 on its back. The extension panel 52 can then be tucked under the mattress 12, which tensions the covering panel 42 on the infant. A view of the extension panel 52 tucked in under the crib mattress 14 is shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 is a perspective overhead view of the article 10 modified to accommodate up to two infants sleeping toe-to-toe in a crib, wherein one of the extension panels 52′ is tucked in, and the opposing extension panel 52 is draping down the side, not yet tucked in. The partially fitted covering 40′ connected to the fitted sheet 20 is comprised of a double length infant size covering panel 42 and 42′ with a first opening top edge 44 that is proximate to the fitted head 24 and a second opening top edge 44′ that is proximate to the fitted opposing head 26 (previously identified as a fitted foot in first embodiment), a bisecting zone 58 that extends from the fitted right side 28 to the fitted left side 30, where said zone 58 attaches the partially fitted covering to the center panel 22 at a point that is substantially midway between the fitted head 24 and the fitted opposing head 26. Similarly, there is a fitted side edge 48, an opposing partially fitted side edge 50, a first extension panel 52, and a second extension panel 52′. The first extension panel 50 is coextensive from the double length infant size covering panel 42. The extension panel 52 is not fitted, and therefore it enables the first opening top edge to be turned down to lay a first baby on its back on the mattress, and the extension panel is sufficiently long that it can be tucked around a side and under the head end of the mattress. The second extension panel 52′ is also coextensive from the double length infant size covering panel 42′. The second extension panel is not fitted and therefore it enables the second opening top edge to be turned down to lay a second baby on its back on the mattress, and the second extension panel is sufficiently long that it can be tucked around a side and under the opposing head end of the mattress. The fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering are joined where both the sheet and covering are fitted, such that the bedding article when positioned on the mattress is neat, flat, and substantially made-up and tucked-in, except for the first and second extension panels.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, the infant's bedding article 10 is preferably fitted with a pacifier pocket 60, either on the fitted sheet 20 or on the partial fitted covering 40. The pockets are selected to be functional and to match the pattern and color scheme of the infant's bedding article 10. Shown in FIG. 8 is a rectangular shaped pacifier pocket 60 a, FIG. 9 illustrates a heart shaped pacifier pocket 60 b, and FIG. 10 illustrates a ball shaped pacifier pocket 60 c.

In a combination of the first and second embodiment of the invention, the partially fitted covering 40 connected to the fitted sheet 20 has a non-fitted bottom zone 56 attached to the center panel 22 at a point that is proximate to the fitted foot 26 of the sheet 20. The non-fitted bottom zone 56 is sewn directly to the fitted sheet 20. This embodiment enables the position of the non-fitted bottom zone 56 of the partially fitted covering 40 to be moved to a location independent of the length of the mattress. The invention can be further comprised of the fitted bottom edge 46, as previously discussed in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 illustrates an infant's bedding article 10 having both a fitted bottom edge 46 and a non-fitted bottom zone 56, wherein the covering bedding 40 is short sheeted to effect a limit that the covering can only be pulled up to the infant's chest.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the best mode of the invention and the principles thereof, and that various modifications and additions may be made to the invention by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, which is therefore understood to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An infant's bedding article, said article comprising: a fitted sheet for a mattress, said fitted sheet comprising a mattress covering center panel with a fitted head, a fitted foot, a fitted right side, and a fitted left side; a partially fitted covering connected to the fitted sheet comprising an infant size covering panel with an opening top edge, a fitted bottom edge, a fitted side edge, an opposing partially fitted side edge, where said partially fitted side edge extends from the fitted bottom edge to an extension panel, wherein said extension panel is coextensive from the infant size covering panel and extends beyond the partially fitted side edge, where said extension panel is not fitted and therefore it enables the opening top edge to be turned down to lay a baby on their back on the mattress, and where said extension panel is sufficiently long that it can be tucked around a side and under the mattress; and wherein the fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering are joined where both the sheet and covering are fitted, such that the bedding article when positioned on the mattress is neat, flat and substantially made-up and tucked-in, except for the extension panel.
 2. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mattress is a crib mattress, where said crib mattress has a length as measured from the foot end of the crib mattress to an opposing end of the crib mattress.
 3. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said length of the partially fitted covering is sized such that the opening top edge is proximate to an infant's chest when the infant's feet are proximate to the foot end of the crib mattress and the extension panel is tucked in.
 4. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said covering panel is a blanket.
 5. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said partially fitted covering has a pocket that can hold at least one pacifier.
 6. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said partially fitted covering and fitted sheet are pattern and color coordinated.
 7. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said infants bedding article is washable.
 8. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said partially fitted covering and fitted sheet are sewn together.
 9. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mattress is a bassinet mattress, where said bassinet mattress has a length as measured from the foot end of the bassinet mattress to an opposing end of the bassinet mattress.
 10. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said infant's bedding article is fitted to all sides and along the bottom of the mattress.
 11. An infant's bedding article, said article comprising: a fitted sheet for a mattress, said fitted sheet comprising a mattress covering center panel with a fitted head, a fitted foot, a fitted right side, and a fitted left side; a partially fitted covering connected to the fitted sheet comprising an infant size covering panel with an opening top edge and a bottom edge attached to the center panel at a point that is proximate to the fitted foot, a fitted side edge, an opposing partially fitted side edge, an extension panel, wherein said extension panel is coextensive from the infant size covering panel and extends beyond the partially fitted side edge, where said extension panel is not fitted and therefore it enables the opening top edge to be turned down to lay a baby on their back on the mattress, and where said extension panel is sufficiently long that it can be tucked around a side and under the mattress; and wherein the fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering are joined where both the sheet and covering are fitted, such that the bedding article when positioned on the mattress is neat, flat and substantially made-up and tucked-in, except for the extension panel.
 12. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said mattress is a crib mattress, where said crib mattress has a length as measured from the foot end of the crib mattress to an opposing end of the crib mattress.
 13. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 12, wherein said length of the partially fitted covering is sized such that the opening top edge is proximate to an infant's chest when the infant's feet are proximate to the bottom edge attached to the center panel at a point that is proximate to the fitted foot, and the extension panel is tucked in.
 14. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said covering panel is a blanket.
 15. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 13, wherein said partially fitted covering has a pocket that can hold at least one pacifier.
 16. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said partially fitted covering and fitted sheet are pattern and color coordinated.
 17. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said infants bedding article is washable.
 18. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 11, wherein said partially fitted covering is further comprised a fitted bottom edge.
 19. The infant's bedding article, as claimed in claim 11, wherein, when said infant is on their back, a lower portion of the infant is partially restrained by the partially fitted covering, their head is above opening top edge of the partially fitted covering, and their breathing is not obstructed by the bedding article.
 20. An infant's bedding article for one infant or two infants sharing a crib toe-to-toe, said article comprising: a fitted sheet for a mattress, said fitted sheet comprising a mattress covering center panel with a fitted head, a fitted opposing head, a fitted right side, and a fitted left side; a partially fitted covering connected to the fitted sheet comprising a double length infant size covering panel with a first opening top edge that is proximate to the fitted head and a second opening top edge that is proximate to the fitted opposing head, a bisecting zone that extends from the fitted right side to the fitted left side where said zone attaches the partially fitted covering to the center panel at a point that is substantially midway between the fitted head and the fitted opposing head, a fitted side edge, a partially fitted side edge, a first extension panel, and a second extension panel, wherein said first extension panel and second extension panel are coextensive from the double length infant size covering panel and enable the first and second opening top edges to be turned down to lay a first baby on their back on the mattress, and where said extension panels are sufficiently long that they can be tucked under the mattress; and wherein the fitted sheet and the partially fitted covering are joined where both the sheet and covering are fitted, such that the bedding article when positioned on the mattress is neat, flat and substantially made-up and tucked-in, except for the first and second extension panels. 